Point of Order: The long goodbye
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Donna Howard and state Sen. Kel Seliger about sniping and snark on the road to sine die. Full Story
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Texas likely to ban homeless encampments in unapproved public places after bill is sent to governor
Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled that he would sign the bill, which does not allow cities to opt out of enforcing a homeless encampment ban. Full Story
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![Tents found in front of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) are adjacent to parking lots and the rest of downtown Austin, as seen on Oct. 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Leadership tensions, potential special session loom as Texas legislative session hits uncertain end
Tensions between the two chambers are peaking, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is putting pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session for unfinished business on conservative priorities Full Story
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![From left, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers send $248 billion two-year budget to Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story
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![A view inside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session. The Capitol was mostly empty on opening day because of COVID-19 restrictions. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s criminal case to be heard in Collin County, appeals court rules
The case was moved to Harris County from Collin County after prosecutors argued that having the trial there would be unfair because of Paxton's political ties in that region. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony for Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol. Jan. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he won’t doom police regulating agency to force a special session
The leader of the Senate gave himself leverage to force a special legislative session when he neglected to pass a bill to extend the life of the regulating agency for Texas law enforcement. But after blowback from the governor, Patrick said “we’re not holding anything hostage.” Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over session on the Senate floor at the state Capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
After Harris County was left out of latest round of Hurricane Harvey relief funds, George P. Bush asks feds for $750 million
Bush's announcement comes after an outcry from Houston and Harris County leaders who requested $1.3 billion in federal funds for Harvey relief but were left off a list of recipients the General Land Office released. Full Story
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![People balance on the Southwest Freeway divider in Houston as cars turn away from flooding on Sunday morning, Aug. 27, 2017.]()
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Texas Legislature approves bills to require power plants to "weatherize," among other measures to overhaul electric grid
The Texas House and Senate both approved negotiated versions of Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 3, the two sweeping bills to change the state’s power grid and the people who oversee it. Full Story
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![The Blanco Vista neighborhood of San Marcos is blanketed with several inches of snow as a massive winter weather system causes power outages across Texas on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Will Dan Patrick force a special session of the Texas Legislature?
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about the politics and the policy surrounding the lieutenant governor's push to reconvene the Legislature in June. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to reporters at a press conference from the State Capitol on Thursday, March 18, 2021.]()
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A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment
HillCo lobbyist Rick Dennis did not slip GHB into the drinks of two legislative staffers, an investigation found. But a history of complaints against him for inappropriate behavior raises questions about how seriously the Legislature takes misconduct. Full Story
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Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for June special session after three of his priority bills fail in Texas House
Gov. Greg Abbott responded, "Some are trying to end the game before the time clock has run out. There’s still time remaining for the House and Senate to work together to get important conservative legislation to my desk." Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a press conference about Senate Bill 7 at the Texas Capitol on April 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas educators worry bill limiting the teaching of current events and historic racism would “whitewash history”
Texas educators say they’re concerned they won’t be able to have open conversations about what’s happening in the world if the Texas Legislature approves a bill that restricts how teachers can discuss current events in the classroom. Full Story
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![Students in class at Bowie High School in Austin.]()
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Texas Senate bill dictating which school sports teams transgender children can join misses House deadline
Democratic lawmakers waved transgender pride flags on the chamber floor after Senate Bill 29 missed the deadline for the House to pass all bills from the upper chamber. Full Story
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![A teenage softball player in black uniform slides into home plate.]()
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Multiple Senate GOP priorities fail in Texas House after last-ditch effort by Democrats to run out the clock
The Democrats delayed and deflected as they tried to run out the clock on bills they oppose. Republicans strategized to push through bills they’d worked on all session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, asks a question during session on the House floor at the state capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
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Donald Trump says he'll endorse in likely primary battle for Texas attorney general between Ken Paxton, George P. Bush
The former president said in a statement Tuesday that he'll issue an endorsement "in the not-so-distant future." Full Story
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![Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in The Woodlands in June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: Republican state Rep. Lyle Larson, party of one
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Lyle Larson about his quixotic efforts to move his fellow Republicans to the center on issues like Medicaid expansion, local control and election law — to put the public good ahead of politics and partisanship, he says. Full Story
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Speaker Dade Phelan once criticized anti-LGBTQ efforts. Now he’s signaling support for a bill targeting transgender Texans.
Democrats supported Phelan for House speaker, reassured he would avoid controversial social issues that target LGBTQ Texans. They say they’re disappointed he is now signaling support for bill targeting transgender student athletes. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.]()
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A year after George Floyd’s murder, only a few of Texas lawmakers’ police reform measures appear likely to become law
Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday. Full Story
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![Candles are held up in the air during a vigil for George Floyd at Yates High School in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texans could carry handguns without a permit under bill headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk
Abbott has said he would sign the permitless carry proposal into law. Full Story
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Texas Legislature moves on two fronts to prevent state’s largest cities and counties from cutting law enforcement budgets
The Senate measure would require major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets. The House bill would financially punish the state’s larger cities if they cut police funds. Full Story
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![A sheriff's patrol vehicle parked outside the Travis County Courthouse on March 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune
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